English-language Buddhist meeting

There is a group meeting every week in Chiang Rai for meditation and discussions about Buddha and his teachings.

In the group is also a monk, Phra Kru Suthee, that speaks very good English.

Here are the notes from one meeting:

'Eight persons attended the English-language Buddhist meeting today (March 31, 2016) for a discussion, which focused on kamma, death and rebirth. Many thanks to Peter Gibbs for opening the ceremony and to Phra Kru Suthee for leading the discussion. The discussion sprang from reading of the second section of the Singala Sutta. Singala was a young man who wasn’t particularly interested in spiritual things, although his parents were devoted followers of the Buddha. The Singala Sutta revolves around the Buddha teaching Singala how to pray to the six directions. The Buddha tailored his message to meet the interests of Singala, who was concerned with success and prosperity. The Buddha put his message in very practical terms, terms that Singala could relate to.

The sutta show that the idea that the Buddha’s teachings are too lofty and metaphysical for ordinary lay people is wrong. It demonstrates that the Buddha’s teachings are meant for ordinary lay people as well as monks and recluses.

In one commentary on the sutta, it says that the Singala Sutta is the equivalent to a code of discipline for lay people. Whoever follows and practices it will bring goodwill, peace and harmony to himself, his family and society in general.

In the discussion on death and rebirth Phra Kru Suthee said the state of one’s mind at the point of death is very important. If your mind is filled with hate and anger at the point of death, it will influence your rebirth in a negative way. He also said it is better, if possible, to cross over with a clear mind rather than one clouded by drugs."